London: six airports and different ways into the city
HopTrip · Reviewed
Compare your flight to London with your journey to a particular district. The airport code can change the cost, number of transfers and the time to reach the accommodation. At two different airports in one trip, prepare separate travel plans.
Image source and licence
Palace of Westminster from the dome on Methodist Central Hall.jpg
© User:Colin / Wikimedia Commons
Cropped and resized by HopTrip; WebP format. This adapted photograph is shared under the same licence as the original.
Illustrative photograph, not a statement of current conditions or availability. A city view, not an airport terminal or transfer route.
Start with six codes
The official guide lists Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), Luton (LTN), London City (LCY) and Southend (SEN). London City is about 9.5 km from the centre, but proximity on a map does not determine the best route to every hotel. Check the actual destination address rather than just searching for the centre.
Rail services use different stations
Heathrow is served by the Piccadilly line, Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express. Gatwick has rail links; Stansted has Stansted Express; Luton uses rail plus DART; City uses DLR; and Southend has Greater Anglia trains. At Luton, include the extra DART leg between the terminal and railway.
Compare the time and cost up to the accommodation, not only to the terminal station of the airport train. Also check the Heathrow flight terminal before selecting the connection.
Oyster and card payment are not one ticket for everything
TfL describes Visitor Oyster use on connections including Heathrow, Gatwick and London City. This does not mean every airport service has the same fare or accepts the same payment medium. Before travel, check the operator, ticket validity and check-in/check-out procedure.
Weekend, night and airport transfer
For weekends or public holidays, check railway engineering works and the last service on your date. When travelling between two airports, allow for the full journey, document checks and a new check-in; this is not a transfer within a terminal. Check entry requirements separately for your own documents. The season guarantees neither a low price nor transport at every hour.
Check for updates before travelling
Information checked on 2026-09-23. Timetables, prices, opening hours and admission rules may change. Official sources are linked beside the relevant guide sections. Check them for your travel dates.
Ideas for your stay · London
Museums and attractions
Tickets are purchased separately. Check availability for your travel dates with the seller or on the attraction’s official website.
- Monuments
Tower Bridge — Entry Ticket
Visit the interiors of one of London's most recognizable bridges.
It's a ticket to Tower Bridge, not to the Tower of London fortress.
Check the price at Tiqets
Affiliate link — we may receive a commission for a purchase.
Check dates and price
Attraction costs are not included in the flight price. Before buying, check ticket inclusions, discounts and cancellation terms. Allow for flights and transfers on travel days.
Changes to dates and travellers in your plan are not automatically passed through this link. Check the date, participants and price with the partner.
